Effective protection Vitamin D supplements could prevent millions of deadly infections

Many people in different countries suffer from vitamin D deficiency
Especially in the cold season, most people try to protect themselves from colds and flu. Researchers now found that adding vitamin D to various foods would lower the risk of colds, flu and other dangerous infections such as pneumonia. In this way, several deaths could be avoided each year.

The scientists at Queen Mary University of London found in a large global study that added vitamin D in food can prevent deaths and dangerous infections. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "British Medical Journal".

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to many diseases. Physicians now examined whether enrichment of foods with vitamin D makes sense. (Image: Janina Dierks / fotolia.com)

In the US, milk is already fortified with vitamin D.
Most people have low levels of the so-called sunshine vitamin Vitamin D. Does it therefore make sense to supplement foods with vitamin D in order to better supply the population? For example, in the US, milk is already fortified with vitamin D..

Many influenza illnesses are related to vitamin D deficiency in winter?
The current study provides convincing evidence for the benefits of vitamin D fortification, says author Professor Adrian Martineau of Queen Mary University of London. There have been a number of studies that have tried to find out whether the increase in colds and flu in winter is due in part to a lack of sunlight and vitamin D. But these studies had mixed results, say the medical profession.

Study examines the data of about 11,000 patients
The new study can answer this question because it has re-analyzed and summarized the raw data from 25 clinical trials involving around 11,000 patients from 14 countries, the authors explain. Studies that found no particular benefit of vitamin D advised people to take a large, single dose of vitamin D, rather than taking regular supplements, the researchers explain.

Weekly intake of vitamin D can have a significant benefit
The new results show a significant but modest benefit for anyone taking vitamin D daily or weekly. However, there is a significant benefit in having people only low levels of vitamin D in the body, say the experts. There are several reasons why people have low vitamin D levels. For example, many sufferers are not very out there, religiously protect themselves by their clothing from the sun or have a dark skin color, which is less vitamin D in sunlight exposure, explain the experts.

Few foods contain vitamin D.
It is generally difficult to get enough vitamin D from the diet. The vitamin is contained in fatty fish and shiitake mushrooms, for example. Few other foods also have high vitamin D levels, researchers say.

Vitamin D intake can significantly reduce respiratory rate
Regular supplementation with vitamin D halves the rate of respiratory disease in people with the lowest vitamin D levels (below 25 nanomoles per liter). But the supplement also reduces the risk of infection by ten percent, among those with a higher vitamin D levels, the researchers explain.

Respiratory infections lead to many sick leave
Scientists report that respiratory infections such as the flu, bronchitis and pneumonia affect many people. More than 70 percent of the UK population gets respiratory infections each year. About 25 percent of those affected go to the doctor with their problems. These health problems are the most common reason for a doctor's examination and subsequent sick leave, the researchers add. More than 50 percent of those affected receive a prescription for antibiotics in the end. However, this is inappropriate, because the disease is usually caused by a virus.

In 2013, infections caused about 2.65 million deaths worldwide
Infections are responsible for 300,000 hospital admissions a year in the United Kingdom and about 38,000 people die as a result of these infections, say the doctors. Worldwide, these infections have caused an estimated 2.65 million deaths in 2013. A daily or weekly supplementation of vitamin D would mean that about 3.25 million fewer people in the UK suffer from a respiratory infection each year.

Introducing vitamin D fortified foods would help many people
An enrichment with vitamin D can cause a steady, low intake of vitamin D. This can virtually eliminate vitamin D deficiency in several countries, explains author Professor Martineau. By illustrating this new benefit of vitamin D, the case for introducing vitamin D fortified foods would be reinforced.

In the UK, many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency
In the UK in particular, many people are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Evidence for the effects of supplementing with vitamin D against respiratory infections may therefore be particularly important for people with vitamin D deficiency, say the experts.

Further research is needed
For bone health even higher doses than currently recommended of vitamin D may be needed. To find out, further studies are needed, scientists say. For example, low levels of vitamin D can cause the bone disease rickets in children. (As)